Duterte Announces ABS-CBN’s Franchise is The Duty of Congress
The press has always been vocal about the latest updates on politics and is barely threatened by those who are opposed by the delivered news.
Like the rest of the population, the press also has the privilege to release evidence-based statements and opinions.
However, their role as the delivery of news does not exempt them from abiding by the rules and regulations set by the government. Defying any rule may greatly affect their overall franchise. They may undergo penalties, suspension, or even worse, closure after their specified deadline.
A large network company in the Philippines, ABS-CBN has started serving every Filipino people with their news and entertainment shows since 1953.
For several years, they’ve served the public with the recent happenings in the country and have also provided jobs to several people, including the artists who have gained famed because of the said network. Despite the success and fame of the said network, they are currently facing such turmoil.
Apparently, they have been speculated to have unpaid taxes after being investigated by the government. Hence, their franchise renewal has been put to a halt.
The company’s license is set to expire on the 30th of March 2020. While the people have criticized President Rodrigo Duterte to be the one pushing through with the network shutdown, the Presidential spokesman, Salvador Panelo, clarified that ABS-CBN Corporation’s franchise isn’t up to the President but the Congress.
However, Panelo said that the company can send a request for a new franchise if the Supreme Court accept the Solicitor General’s petition.